The Gist
The Conventional Mortgage Playbook
Fixed, ARM, or Points — The Math That Decides
Compare conforming structures, model PMI elimination paths, and learn when buying points actually pays off.
5 Blinks~12 minutesFree
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Blink 01 · 2 min
Conforming Limits and Why They Move Your Rate
The invisible line between standard and expensive
“Conforming loan limits — set annually by FHFA — determine whether your loan gets Fannie/Freddie pricing or enters jumbo territory with higher rates and stricter requirements. Knowing where you fall changes everything.”
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Blink 02 · 3 min
Fixed vs. ARM: The Rate-Certainty Tradeoff
When adjustable rates are smarter than they sound
“Fixed-rate loans buy certainty. ARMs buy a lower initial rate in exchange for future rate risk. The right choice depends on your time horizon, not your risk tolerance.”
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Blink 03 · 3 min
Buying Points: When the Math Actually Works
The discount point calculation most borrowers get wrong
“Discount points let you buy a lower rate by paying upfront interest. Each point costs 1% of the loan amount and typically reduces the rate by 0.25%. The math only works if your break-even period is shorter than your stay.”
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E
EARL · Mortgage Butler
Ready to turn these insights into your actual numbers
Educational content only. Not financial advice. Rates and figures are illustrative.
IRRRL1 NMLS #2560253 · Equal Housing Lender